Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon put the icing on a memorable week when Drop Out Joe (11-1) posted a minor surprise in the Badger Ales Trophy Handicap Chase at Wincanton on Saturday.

Longsdon, who saddled the two big-race winners in a treble sevens days earlier, was last week named as a new trainer for the Queen.

And Drop Out Joe continued a great run, coping with ground that part-owner Robert Aplin insisted was too soft for him to get the better of the front-running Royal Palladium by half a length.

However, the heavily-backed 9-4 favourite The Ould Lad was in trouble turning out of the back and was eventually pulled up.

Publishing and exhibition company owner Aplin is one of three that comprise The Jesters partnership.

He said: “Joe delighted us with his win at Chepstow but I thought it would be far too soft for him today. Aidan (Coleman) said he just toughed it out.

“When we bought him at the Newbury Hennessy boutique sale, Charlie said he would make into a very good staying chaser and it looks like we’ll have to keep going down the handicap route as this is his third win over fences and it rules out graduation chases.”

“Everyone will be asking where we go next with him. I’ll be leaving that to Charlie, but we have plenty to look forward to in some of the top staying chases.”

Longsdon was, however, out of luck at Aintree where both Spirit of Shankly (20-1) and Our Kaempfer (9-4 fav) both finished second.